Team Formation Policy

Preamble

This policy reflects the Club’s desire to form teams in a fashion that respects the children’s best interest and complies with CYSA and JLYSL policies. The AGC is the final authority in the matter of making team assignments. If the AGC and the coach or player cannot find an acceptable solution, the AGC should consult with the Registrar for advice and make a decision that respects the player’s best interest.

1. A team formed within a home league on an equal (in) strength basis to compete in a Class 4 recreational league/division. The use of tryouts, invitations, or recruiting in order to roster players on a team according to player talent is forbidden.

In the event there is an overflow of players who register late, the priority of who gets to play:

1. Players whose parents are Club volunteers or sponsors.
2. Date of registration.

Please note that the Club controls the registration process and typically does not turn away players unless the request for registration is made after the Club can accommodate the request because of paperwork deadlines outside of the Club’s control or because there is no room on any of the teams suitable for the player seeking a late registration. It is the Club’s goal to enroll the maximum number of players within the JLYSL and District timelines. The AGCs are charged to make every possible effort to accommodate all players by actively recruiting coaches or increasing the team size per the JLYSL rules.

Players may play up only with consent of the coach. The player must identify in her registration the coach who is willing to take her as an underage player. Players playing up go through same team placement procedure as all other players in that age group.

Coaches of Class 3 teams playing in the Spring as Class 4 teams may register the whole team by submitting the list of players to the AGC.

Examples:

Team FormationPlease note that all decisions by the AGCs and Club officials must comply with CYSA’s Policy Interpretation Memoranda (PIM) on Class 4 team formation (PIM 00-3 Team Classification and Modification part C. 1.)

Priority order for placing players with coaches:

Player’s preference for a coach. If too many players sign up for a coach, returning players for the coach from within the most recent 2 seasons will be given priority, with preference given to the fall season. If there are still more players than can be accommodated because of the maximum roster size, the AGC will work with the coach to find a solution.

Player’s preference for friends.

Player’s preference for level of play (flight of team for U10 and above.)

Neighborhood school.

Player’s previous coach.

Coaches may not pick players.

Coaches may not refuse to take a player. However, if a coach believes it is not in the best interest of the player to be playing in his team, the coach may petition to the AGC that the player be removed from his team. The coach may not contact the player or his parents directly. The AGC has the final say on the matter.

A player may specifically ask not to be placed with a particular coach.

Exceptions: Placement of players over the nominal maximum roster size falls under “Team Formation” rules (e.g. a coach may not ask for a particular player as the “over the max” player). For U10 and above, the number of players can only be exceeded if the AGC requests, through the ASC Registrar, permission from the League to exceed the League maximum roster size. To increase the team sizes for U6, U7, and U8 the AGC can make that decision after consultation with the Registrar. In no cases the roster size shall be increased above 18 (CYSA General Procedure 3:02:03 A) except for spring League play if there are no other alternatives available. In general, the size of the teams will only be increased when there are not enough coaches to form teams that meet the published maximum number of players and the AGC has exhausted all avenues in recruiting more coaches. When the team sizes must be increased, the AGCs will consult with the coaches and advise them of the need to increase the size of all teams in order to accommodate all players who have registered on time.

Priority for playing in the League for players who register late

Playing up

Exception Rule for Class 3 Teams Playing as Class 4 Teams in the Spring

Freddy, a 10 year old, signs up to play U12. U12 Coach John has seen Freddy play and agrees to take Freddy on his team. This is allowed under the rules.

Seventeen kids signed up to play for well-respected U10 coach Bruce. Ten of the kids played for Bruce the previous year and they are placed in the team. The AGC places two of the non-returning kids with the team per article I of this policy, to form a team of 12 players. Coach Bruce then says that he wants to take Landon who played for Bruce last year but has registered late. Taking Landon will mean that Bruce’s roster will go over the maximum roster size of 12 or will require the AGC to reassign one of the kids already on the team. This is not allowed under the rules.

Coach Smith has coached the same players for 2 years and he wants to keep his team together. He calls his players and asks them to sign up for his team. He also identifies the players to the AGC and requests that the AGC put those players back in his team. Allowed under the rules. However, the AGC in under no obligation to honor the coach’s request.